Patterns in Language: An introduction to language and literary style

by Joanna Thornborrow, Shan Wareing

Patterns in Language addresses the real needs of students in modular systems who may not have a background either in traditional literature or in linguistic theory. This student-friendly textbook uses the principles of linguistic analysis to investigate the aesthetic use of language in literary (and non-literary) texts. Written in straightforward, accessible language with imaginative examples and humour, it shows how linguistic knowledge can enhance and enrich the analysis of texts. The authors borrow from traditional stylistics but focus primarily on the recurring linguistic patterns which are used by writers of poetry, fiction and drama. Textual examples include canonical literature and modern literary texts, as well as references to popular fiction, television and the language of advertising. Tasks, including textual analysis, are provided at every stage, and sample answers are also included.

Genres: Nonfiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[A.M.]

This book is a little dated, but still useful, probably more so for students of English than of Linguistics.

The book covers a variety of methods you can use to analyse language (with particular reference to poems). It describes the standard patterns of sound and metre in poetry such as consonance, assonance, and rhyme, along with the more 'scientific' linguistic aspects such as morphology, semantics, and syntax.

Other topics include the stylistic applications to drama plus an examination of realism, from classic to postmodernism.

[Dini]

I used this book extensively when researching for my undergraduate thesis back in college. Lots of insights on stylistics.